The Future of Multicultural Britain: Confronting the Progressive Dilemma

Pathik Pathak

Abstract

Global politics are deeply affected by issues surrounding cultural identity. Profound cultural diversity has made national majorities increasingly anxious, and democratic governments are under pressure to address those anxieties. Multiculturalism – once heralded as the insignia of a tolerant society – is now blamed for encouraging segregation and harbouring extremism. The author of this book makes a case for a new progressive politics that confronts these concerns. Drawing on comparisons between Britain and India, he shows how the global Left has been hamstrung by a compulsion for insular iden ... More

Global politics are deeply affected by issues surrounding cultural identity. Profound cultural diversity has made national majorities increasingly anxious, and democratic governments are under pressure to address those anxieties. Multiculturalism – once heralded as the insignia of a tolerant society – is now blamed for encouraging segregation and harbouring extremism. The author of this book makes a case for a new progressive politics that confronts these concerns. Drawing on comparisons between Britain and India, he shows how the global Left has been hamstrung by a compulsion for insular identity politics and a stubborn attachment to cultural indifference. The author argues that, to combat this, cultural identity must be placed at the centre of the political system.